Improvement in aerial navigators



ZSheets-Sheetl. M. M. MURRELL. AERIAL NAVIGATORS.

in. 194,104, Patented Aug. 14,1877.

"-\PETER5. PHOTDLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C,

zsheets-s eetz. M. M. MURRELL. AERIAL NAVIGATOR'S..

NPETERS, PHOTO-LITHDGUPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES {PATENT OFFICE;

. MELVILLE M. MURRELL, 0F PANTHERSPRINGS, vrnfnnnssnn..

IMPROVEMENT m AEfRlAL NAVIGATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,104., dated August 14,1877; application filed 7 April 16, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, MELVILLE M. MURRELL, of Panther Springs, in the county of Hamblen and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAerial Navigators; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being held to the accompanyin g drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in flying-machines, .the nature of which will be fully understood by reference to'the accompanying drawings, in whichc Figure 1 represents a plan, Fig.-2,a front view, Fig. 3 a side view, and Fig. 4 an end view, of apparatus constructed according to my invention.

In each of the views similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts wherever they occur.

A A represent the main framing of the apparatus, in which the operator is supported. The framing A is composed of two oval crosspieces, A A, by preference formed in two halves, and held in position by means of rods or bars A A, extending from end to end of the machine. The lower halves of the cross-pieces A A are connected together by rods or bars A A to which is attached a cross-bar, B, to

' the extremities of which are attached the pulleys and guides for the cords operating the Wings 0 O, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The wings O O are composed of frames, between the main arms 0 of which are arranged series of fans or slats G which at one side are pivoted on axes 0 having their hearings in the arms 0 while their opposite sides are held in position by means of a cord or band, 0 which passes along the under face of and is attached to each of the slats or fans, and is conducted over the pulley or guide 0 (carried by the cross-bar 0 and attached to one end of an elastic spring,c the opposite end of which is connected to the cross-bar 0 The wings O O are pivoted on rods or axes 0 or any other suitable axis, supported'or carried by the framing A. c is a cross-brace for holding the axes eat a proper distance apart. d is a standard carried by the framing ,A, to the, upper end of which are attached onetached to the cross-bar 0', thereby serving .to

hold the wings in an upward direction when not otherwise controlled, and bringing them back to an upward position,as shown by Fig. 2, after they have been 10W6I6(1,'2.S described hereinafter. d d are braces for holding the:

standardsd in position. A vertical orflapping motion is communicatedtothe wings G ;by means of the cords E E, one end of each: of which is connected to a cross-bar of the frame while their lower ends are con nected to thetrapeze or cross-bar E which, by preference, is formed with pivoted foot pieces orrests e, the forward ends of which areprovided with sandalsor straps to go over the toeof the boot of the operator, while 'the heel is pressed forward into the same by means of the springel.

F F are cords for controlling the*amount of upward throw allowed to the wings O- 0. These cords F at one end are each connected to and wound partially round a shaft, f, supported centrally beneath the apparatus, as shown, while the opposite ends are conducted through guides in the ends of the cross-bar B upon and attached to the cross-bar o of the frame 0 The shaft f is capable of revqlving in suitable bearings carried by the framing, and at its forward end is provided with a plate or pulley, f having acrank or handle, f in position to be readily actuated by the hands of the operator. 1

The plate or pulley f 1 on its rear face is provided with a catch or stop or a pin, so arranged as to prevent the revolution of the shaft f, except when desired by the person using the apparatus. When it is desired to shorten or extend the throw of the wings 0, it is simply necessary to turn plate or pulley f in either direction,-by means of the handle f until sufficient of the cords F F has been wound upon the shaft f to bring the wings G into the desired position.

G represents the tail of the apparatus, which is mounted on an extension from a pulley, G, capable of revolving on an axis carried by a rock-shaft, H, supported with capability of partial revolution in bearings carried by the main framing.

H is another rock-shaft, supported at the front of the machine, and provided with adrop loop or handle, h, in position to be readily operated by the hand of the aeronaut. The rock-shafts H H are each provided with pulleys H H connected together by cords or bands H H in such manner that any motion connected to the shaft H shall be instantaneously conveyed to the shaft H for the purpose of flapping the tail vertically.

A wriggling or partially-rotary motion may be imparted to the tail, or the angle of the tail G horizontally altered, or it may be caused to assume a vertical position by means of an endless cord, I, which is conducted over pairs of pulleys 11 '5 i i and around the pulley G of the tail G.

The cord I isoperated 1 in either .direction and the angle of the tail controlled by one of the hands of the operator, grasping it between the pulleys ii. The pulleysi *& are arranged on stationary axes, while the pulleys 1' i are mounted in blocks or frames d pivoted in standards carried by the framing.

The fans or slats (l of the wings G, and the tail G, may be formed of any suitable light material, which may be kept extended by wire or other suitable framing or stifl'ening means. The person using the apparatus rests with his body upon the pads or cushions J J, with his feet in the rests e of the cross-bar E. K L are straps for holding the operator in the apparatus. 1

The straps K pass over the back, while the straps L pass around the arms and over the shoulders, leaving the arms and hands free to operate the difl'erent parts, as described.

' One or both of the wings may be'operated at a given time by depressing one or both feet at the same time.

The machine is operated by the hands and feet, and is guided by the tail.

The fansor slats of the wings O are so arranged that when the wings are being raised they shall open, so as to present as little resistance as possible, while on the reverse motion they become closed, so as to render the greatest possible resistance to the atmosphere.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A flying-machine embodying in its construction a framing, A, having pivoted wings O 0, controlled and operated bycords or ropes E E and F F, anda guiding-tail, G, controlled I and operated by means of cords or endless bands H and I and rock-shafts H H, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the frame of a flying-machine, oi the Wings .(l G, pivoted on rods I or axes c and controlled in their upward movement by springs d substantially as set forth.

3. In a flying-machine, a guiding-tail, G,

pivoted on a rock-shaft,H, and controlled and operatedby cords or bands H and I, substantially as shown-and described. 1

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MELvI-LLE M. MURRELL.

I Witnesses: v

F. L. Lo'rHRoP, E. E. THOMPSON. 

